Checklist Before Going Backpacking

Are you planning to head off on a big adventure? If yes, then congratulations! But, if I may ask, how prepared are you for your big expedition? You see, I’ve read many blogs about backpacking and there’s one burning question most people keep asking themselves—will my small bag fit all the stuff I need to carry along?

Now, I will accept that it’s easy to freak out and worry about everything here especially if you haven’t decided about the destination. However, you do not have to worry much as this epic guide has prepared a definitive backpacking checklist that will show you everything you need to know before you can head out.

But, before we can move to our main agenda of the day, one piece of advice I would like to give you is—always pack light. Regardless of whether you’re camping or hiking for short or long-term, traveling as light as possible is one way of reducing strain and stress that come with heavy backpacks.

So, with that said, here are seven essential backpacking items you shouldn’t miss to pack when getting ready for your next adventure.

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Start With a Backpack

The first thing you need to think of when getting ready for backpacking is shopping for the right backpack. Of course, you can’t start your adventure without a backpack as it’s the engine of your entire expedition. But, a backpack isn’t just a backpack. You have to shop for a bag that is versatile enough to meet your needs in all dimensions.

So, depending on your needs, there are four factors you’ll need to think of when you’re buying a backpack.

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Size: If you’re planning to go for a long trip, let’s say for a year, a 55-75 liter backpack is the best to consider as it’s able to carry lots of gear that’s needed to keep you comfortable throughout your expedition. For shorter getaways, let’s say a week or a month; a 40-50 liter bag will be the best to consider.

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Quality: Backpack brands such as Osprey, Deuter and Doite offer a lifetime warranty for all their products. Their backpacks are designed with solid materials both in the seams and zips meaning they can withstand heavy-duty tasks without wearing off.

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Comfort: This is another factor you should look at in a backpack. The best quality packs are designed with adjustable buckles and multiple clips that allow you to secure the bag around your body to prevent it from sagging and being too loose.

Food Checklist

Food and water are essential backpacking checklists that will keep you going while you’re in the wild. So, depending on how long you’re expected to take in your expedition, planning for a healthy menu that will keep you energized is very paramount. Some of the meals you’re likely to pack include;

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Nutritional Lara Bars

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100 grams of dried fruits and nuts

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80-100 grams of oatmeal

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Powdered milk and chocolate

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Powdered pasta source

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Oreos and candy bars

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Pasta and powdered potatoes

Gear Checklist

According to the best hiking blog, the gear you pack in any hiking or camping expedition is greatly influenced by the type of weather you’re going to encounter. If you’re planning to hike in high altitude regions such as mountainous regions, you’ll definitely expect the weather to get cold so you have to look for warm gear.

On the other hand, if you’re hiking in the desert, you’ll ultimately require a totally different gear checklist. So, some of the things you’ll require here include;

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A tent

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A lightweight sleeping bag

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Sleeping pad and mat

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A foldable day bag

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A map and a compass

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A headlamp

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Cooking stove

Clothing Checklist

Just like your gear checklist, your clothing and footwear should correspond with the changing weather of where you’re planning to hike. But, as we mentioned earlier at the beginning of this short guide, regardless of whether you’re hiking for a week or a month, carrying unnecessary weight will only strain and stress you making you totally uncomfortable during your long expedition.

So, to keep your backpack as lightweight as possible, you need to pack just a few clothes for hiking during the day and for sleeping during the night.

About the footwear, you need to shop for the right boots based on the type of terrain you’re planning to hike on. With that said, here are some of the clothing you’re expected to pack.

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Enough underwear/boxers

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1 pair of waterproof gloves

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1 pair of hiking boots and camping shoes

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Waterproof jacket and lightweight jacket

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A hat

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2 pair of yoga pants

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A sports bra

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4 pairs of warm socks

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Trekking pants

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Flip flops

Electronics Checklist

Regardless of whether you’re hiking in the wild or in a foreign land, having an electronic checklist is one way of ensuring that you stay connected with friends and family throughout your expedition. For those that work online, packing your electronic gears is one way of ensuring that you continue working even when you’re away from home. Some of the electronic gears you can’t afford to leave behind include;

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Amazon Kindle if you’re a fan of reading

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A travel-friendly laptop computer

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Universal travel power adapter

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iPad mini or iPhone

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A Canon 80D DSLR or Canon G7X compact camera

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Earphones

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Power bank

Travel Toiletries

This is another department you need to be really keen on as it can take up a lot of unnecessary space in your backpack if you’re not careful. Things like shampoos, deodorants, makeup and conditioners are definitely pointless and should be left out when packing other gear. Here are some of the travel toiletries you shouldn’t miss packing.

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Soap

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Toothbrush and paste

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Sunscreen

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Mosquito repellent

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Hand sanitizer

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A pack of wipes

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Shampoo and conditioner (if you’ll be taking baths along the trail)

First Aid Kit

Last but not least, there’s the first aid kit. This is one of the most essential backpack checklists you can’t afford to bypass especially if you’re planning to go out to the wilderness. Among the emergency first aid kits you’re supposed to carry along include;

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Pain killers

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Anti-diarrhea tablets in case of stomach illness

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Rashes and allergies tablets

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Malaria tablets

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Anti-bacterial cream

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Thermometer

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Disinfectant

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Bandages

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Medical tape

Conclusion

So, there you have it all. If you’re planning to hike to the wild, this epic guide has offered you everything you need to know before getting ready for your expedition. Although backpacking hikes will differ from person to person, one backpacking rule you shouldn’t fail to adhere to is to pack light to avoid carrying a heavy pack with unnecessary items.

Last but not least, if your hiking plan is based on a foreign country, don’t forget to carry your travel documents such as your credit cards, passports, air tickets, driving license, travel insurance and health information just to guarantee your safety when you’re far away from home.

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Cindy Herrera

I’m Cindy, a free-spirited outdoor enthusiast. Since childhood, I was very much exposed to the outdoor environment. Our family frequently goes on weekend camps and my father, who was a skilled hunter, used to teach me and my siblings valuable things about wildlife survival. Now that I’m a married woman with two wonderful kids, it’s hard to keep up with outdoor activities while parenting at the same time… so I made this blog to share the best of my knowledge, experiences, and tips from other bloggers to you, my fellow outdoor enthusiast because merely talking about the outdoors makes me feel closer to it.

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